An acorn squash is a winter squash shaped like an acorn but up to 20 x 10-12 cm (8 x 4-5 inches) in length, small and heart-shaped. It has a smooth, hard rind which is widely ribbed and fluted, and changes from dark green to orange during storage. The pale orange flesh is quite firm in texture, slightly sweetish and nutty in flavour and there is a large seed cavity. It is good mashed with plenty of black pepper and butter, or halved lengthways, the seeds removed, filled with a stuffing and baked.
